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June 27, 2011

Sanford fire destroys prominent builder's house

By David Hench dhench@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

Fire burned a home at 122 Sand Pond Road in Sanford on Sunday and sent one firefighter to the hospital with symptoms of heat exhaustion.

The fire broke out at about 9 p.m. at the home of Mark Patterson, co-owner of PATCO Construction, a residential and commercial construction company based in Sanford.

The fire was first spotted in a breezeway connecting two sections of the structure, but a sunroom on the back side of the house had already collapsed by the time firefighters arrived, said acting Assistant Chief Gary Cushing. The fire appeared to be fed by propane, which was used there for heat and for a gas grill, until firefighters turned off the supply at the tank a distance from the house.

The fire spread quickly, showing through the second floor windows of the home, shortly after firefighters arrived.

The nearest hydrant was a half mile away, so Cushing ordered tanker trucks to set up a water shuttle. The roof collapsed and the second floor collapsed into the first, he said. The basement garage was not affected, he said.

Firefighters extinguished the fire by spraying water from the outside, and it was under control by 11:30 p.m. However firefighters stayed on scene until 7 a.m. today to guard against fire flaring up again, he said.

Several firefighters were checked for heat exhaustion, with one being taken to the hospital for observation before released this morning, Cushing said.

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